| There is a little doubt that a great percentage of | | | | trained toddler who can feed him or her self. |
| working parent's wages goes toward child care | | | | Other factors that can change pricing between the |
| facilities. Parents need someone to take care of their | | | | differing child care facilities is how many services are |
| children while they are working but sometimes wonder | | | | being offered. A babysitter in your home will usually not |
| how they can ever afford to pay out such high fees. | | | | provide the extended hours most working parents |
| The differences in charges vary from city to city, but | | | | require. If you have hours that extend from the typical |
| no matter where the family is located, it sometimes | | | | 9-5 work day or have a long commute, you will need a |
| causes doubt as to whether or not the second parent | | | | daycare center that has extended hours of pick-up |
| is simply working to pay for childcare. There are many | | | | and drop-off. |
| things that can affect the cost, so before you begin | | | | Also, the more added benefits, such as providing |
| looking, you need to be aware of the basics. Take a | | | | meals and snacks will affect the price of too. Many |
| good look at your community when pricing child care | | | | centers now offer activities based on the child's age |
| facilities. Areas in New York City and Boston will have | | | | such as computers, foreign language and even martial |
| prestigious private preschools where the tuition is | | | | arts or gymnastics. Many centers allow the parent to |
| closer to thousands of dollars versus hundreds. | | | | elect these options for an additional fee but some are |
| Lower income areas will have facilities within their | | | | building them into the curriculum and daily activity list. |
| pricing range. Both may offer quality child care but the | | | | Typically, parents can expect to pay on average from |
| more expensive school may be able to offer extras | | | | $100-$400 per week at a daycare center. There are |
| such as computer and foreign language instructors. | | | | some child care facilities that charge much, much more |
| Infants are charged a higher fee than toddlers. The | | | | and may even have a long waiting list for admission. |
| reason being infants require more care and more staff | | | | When looking at a child care facility, make sure and |
| to oversee than older children. Child care centers must | | | | ask about any extra fees or what activities are |
| pay close attention to the staff-to-infant ratio to ensure | | | | included. Many centers are well worth the money and |
| that the infants are receiving the highest possible care | | | | can provide your child with a superb educational |
| they can give. Changing diapers and feeding bottles is | | | | foundation. |
| much more time consuming than working with a potty | | | | |